Three Challenges To Overcoming Life’s Circumstances

Philippians 1:12–18 NLT

12 And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. 13 For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. 14 And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear. 15 It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. 16 They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News. 17 Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. 18 But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice.

INTRODUCTION:

A- Opening questions:

1. If you had the power to change your circumstances, would you?

2. If you could change any of your circumstances, what would you change?

B- Biblical background:

1- Paul’s negative circumstances:

a- In prison for the cause of Christ.

b- Paul had negative circumstances but never got under them.

C- Probing question:

1. On what am I to focus when enduring negative circumstances?

I– FOCUS ON CHRIST RATHER THAN YOUR CIRCUMSTANCE. (Philippians 1:18).

Philippians 1:18 NLT

18 But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice.

A- What the answer is not:

1- Attempt to escape your circumstance.

The Hebrew men could not escape the Firey Furnace. (Daniel 3)

2- Adopt a complaining spirit about your circumstance.

(1 Thess 5:16–18)

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 NLT

16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

3- Attach blame on others for your circumstance.

Like Adam & Eve (Gen 3:12–13)

Genesis 3:12–13 NLT

12 The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.” 13 Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?” “The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.”

a. Adopting a victim mentality solves nothing.

B- What the answer is:

1- Focus your attention upon Christ instead of the negative circumstance.

a- Paul’s circumstances were very negative.

· Riot at Jerusalem

· imprisonment in Jerusalem

· imprisoned in Caesarea for 2 years

· threats on his life

· perilous trip to Rome

· house arrest and restricted freedom

· impending trial before Caesar

b- In spite of this, Paul rejoiced in his circumstances. (Philippians 1:18 b).

Philippians 1:18 NLT

18 But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice.

C- When you focus on Christ:

1- He lifts the veil and you see circumstances differently.

a. Negative circumstances are seen as opportunity.

(James 1:2–4)

James 1:2–4 NLT

2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

b. Negative circumstances are seen as a privilege rather than a burden.

(Phil 1:29)

Philippians 1:29 NLT

29 For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.

II- FOCUS UPON THE SOVEREIGNTY AND POWER OF GOD RATHER THAN THE WILL OF MEN. (Philippians 1:15 – 18).

Philippians 1:15–18 NLT

15 It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. 16 They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News. 17 Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. 18 But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice.

A- Often times, the will of man seems to be in control of our circumstances.

1- It seemed that it was because of man’s will that Paul was injuring his hardships.

a- The Pharisees and Sadducees incited a riot in the temple, resulting in Paul’s imprisonment. (Acts 21:26-40)

b- The Jewish leaders desire for Paul’s death caused to Caesarea and imprisonment and the need to appeal to Caesar; and thus, his Roman imprisonment. (Acts 22-25)

(Acts 25:11-12)

Acts 25:11–12 NLT

11 If I have done something worthy of death, I don’t refuse to die. But if I am innocent, no one has a right to turn me over to these men to kill me. I appeal to Caesar!” 12 Festus conferred with his advisers and then replied, “Very well! You have appealed to Caesar, and to Caesar you will go!”

c- Paul’s opponents were preaching the gospel in order to make it rough on him (PHIL. 1:15 – 16).

Philippians 1:15–16 NLT

15 It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. 16 They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News.

B- Only that which is under the control of God can touch the believer. (Philippians 1:17).

Philippians 1:17 NLT

17 Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me.

1- Circumstances Our in our lives either by the permissive will or the perfect will of our sovereign, Almighty Lord.

(Prov 19:21)

Proverbs 19:21 NLT

21 You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.

(James 4:13–15)

James 4:13–15 NLT

13 Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” 14 How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. 15 What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.”

a- Paul’s situation was both:

· It was God’s perfect will – God had set Paul where he was for the purpose of defending the gospel of Christ. (Philippians 1:17).

Philippians 1:17 NLT

17 Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me.

· It was God’s permissive will –God had allowed the preaching of the gospel out of improper motives by Paul’s enemies.

All of this was still under God’s permissive will (Romans 8:28).

Romans 8:28 NLT

28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

III- FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE RESULTS OF THE CIRCUMSTANCE RATHER THAN THE PERSONAL PAIN. (Philippians 1:12 – 14).

A- Promotion of the gospel. (Philippians 1:12).

Philippians 1:12 NLT

12 And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News.

1- When the child of God keeps the proper focus and lives above the circumstances, it results in a growth in the testimony of the power of the gospel.

a- As Paul lived day by day, rejoicing and then testifying of the risen Christ, it got people’s attention.

· This likely resulted in a number of them getting saved (Philippians 4:22).

Philippians 4:22 NLT

22 And all the rest of God’s people send you greetings, too, especially those in Caesar’s household.

B- Positively impacting lives that would otherwise be impossible to touch. (Philippians 1:13).

Philippians 1:13 NLT

13 For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ.

1- Paul’s circumstances placed him in the middle of the praetorian guard – elite soldiers who guarded Caesar.

a. If he had not been placed in his circumstances, he could never have been able to reach those men.

2- The big question: Whose life or lives are you in a unique position to reach because of your circumstances?

C- Encouraging other believers.(Philippians 1:14).

Philippians 1:14 NLT

14 And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear.

1- Fellow believers are encouraged by a brother or sister who is living above their circumstance.

a- Paul’s fellow believers were encouraged to boldly stand and witness of Christ because of Paul’s handling of his circumstances.

b- What fellow believer stands to be encouraged in their Christian walk by seeing how you handle your circumstances?

D- The name of Jesus is lifted up. (Philippians 1:15 – 18).

Philippians 1:15–18 NLT

15 It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. 16 They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News. 17 Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. 18 But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice.

1- Christ was exalted and lifted up in preaching by brothers and sisters in Christ.

2- Jesus is always honored as we show the world that he makes a difference in our lives.

Conclusion:

A- Whatever your circumstances are, the challenge is to:

1- Focus on Christ rather than your circumstance.

2- Focus on the sovereignty and power of God rather than the will of man.

3- Focus on the positive results rather than your personal pain.

B- Whatever your circumstance, it is your choice to live above them or beneath them.